ENGLAND stars were today meeting with migrant workers at their training base in defiance of Fifa's order for teams to "focus on the football" at the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate's players were set to pose for pictures, go through drills and sign autographs for the workers, without whom the tournament starting on Sunday would not have been possible.
The host country has faced criticism over the treatment of migrant workers who were hired to build the stadiums. Qatar denies reports more than 6,500 died.
The Football Association described the meeting as an "engagement session" but its timing and relevance were being viewed as significant.
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